Shutter valve

ABSTRACT

A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow comprising an actuator ring having a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear or other means. A plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, the pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture. The shutter valve further comprises three or more obturator elements, each obturator element defining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, and wherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss. A hook element is located at an apex of said petal shape structure of each obturator element. The shutter value further includes a housing defining a cavity or holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to provisional patentapplication No. 61/863,179 filed Aug. 7, 2013 and entitled “ShutterValve.” The subject matter of provisional patent application No.61/863,179 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed broadly relates to the field of valve systems,and more particularly relates to the field of shutter valves forpressure regulation and the control of fluids in machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the problems with conventional valves is the lack of the abilityto regulate the amount of fluid flow through the valve. This is becausemost conventional valves typically only offer an on and off position.Completely stopping fluid flow, i.e., turning the valve to the offposition, results in a steep pressure drop, which can cause a shockwavein the system and can result in cavitation. This can reduce the lifespanof the valve, as well as the system as a whole. Another problem withconventional valves is the lack of the ability to remain securely sealedin a pressurized system. This insecurity in said processes can causeleakage. Yet another common problem with conventional valves is that theobturator element remains within the lumen of the flow of gas or liquid,as with a butterfly valve, thereby interrupting fluid flow. Thisapproach, however, creates a disruption in the fluid flow and can causepotential currents that can produce cavitation. This negative result canalso directly reduce the life span of a valve, pipe, or the entiresystem altogether.

One possible approach to the above-described problems is the use of aniris valve, which utilizes obturator elements within the lumen of theflow area, wherein the obturator elements open and close in an annulararray to regulate the flow of gases or liquids. This removes allobstructions to the flow of gases and liquids when the valve is in theopen position. But conventional iris valves also possess the sameproblem with remaining securely sealed, especially in a pressurizedsystem. Thus, many conventional iris valves suffer from leakage causedby the inability to seal properly. The inability of conventional irisvalves to seal properly has limited the uses and useful life span of theiris valve. In many cases, various industries have not used iris valvesbecause of this problem.

Consequently, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior artas discussed above, and particularly for a more efficient valve thatseals properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, disclosedis a shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flowcomprising an actuator ring having a plurality of gear teeth, the gearteeth driven by a mating gear or other means. The shutter valve includesa plurality of obturator pin bosses. Each pin boss is affixed within aninside circumference of the actuator ring, the obturator pin bossfurther comprising a hinge pin aperture. The shutter valve furthercomprises three or more obturator elements, each obturator elementdefining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove featurealong at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof. Eachobturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of anobturator pin boss. Each obturator element further includes a hookelement located at an apex of said petal shape structure of eachobturator element. The shutter value further includes a housing defininga cavity for holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturatorelements.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features and also theadvantages of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies thedrawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the shutter valve, inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first part of the shutter valvehousing, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the second part of the shutter valvehousing, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an actuator ring of the shutter valve, inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an obturator element of the shuttervalve, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of mating obturator elements of theshutter valve, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled shutter valve without thefirst part of the housing, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is frontal view of the assembled shutter valve without the firstpart of the housing, shown in the closed position, in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 6 is frontal view of the assembled shutter valve without the firstpart of the housing, shown in the open position, in accordance with oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined bythe appended claims.

The disclosed embodiments solve problems with the prior art by providinga simplified shutter valve that allows for pressure regulation and forcontrolling the amount of fluid flow through the valve by regulating theaperture through which said fluid may flow. The disclosed embodimentsfurther improve over the prior art by providing a system that allows foradjusting the lumen through which fluid flows. This allows a user tochoose a desired size of the lumen, so as to regulate pressure and fluidflow through the valve. The disclosed embodiments further improve overthe prior art by providing a system that allows for closure of the valveby progressively making the lumen through which fluid flows smalleruntil there is no aperture for allowing fluid flow, thereby eliminatinga steep pressure drop, shockwaves in the system and cavitation. Thedisclosed embodiments also improve over the prior art by providing theability to remain securely sealed throughout various types of processes,including compression and combustion. The disclosed embodiments furtherimprove over the prior art by allowing the fluid to pass through thevalve unobstructed when in the open position.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the fully assembled shuttervalve 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The shutter valve includes a housing or casing having a first part 105and a second part 107, which are more specifically described in FIGS. 1Band 1C below. The housing further defines a central aperture 120. Whenmated together, the parts of the housing 105, 107 define am internalcavity and cover that hold an actuator ring 110 (which is more fullydescribed in FIG. 2) and obturator elements 125 (described more fullyherein). The actuator ring 110 comprises a plurality of gear teeth 115.The gear teeth 115 are driven by a mating spur (not shown) or any othermeans of generating rotational energy to cause the actuator ring totranslate or rotate within the housing of the shutter valve 100.Additionally, in other embodiments (not shown), the actuator ring can bedriven by an appropriate means such as gears, belts, a shaft or someother apparatus to generate rotational energy required to move theshutter valve. Actuator 110 also includes a flat surface 11 that mateswith a seal, such that when part 105 of the housing is mated with part107, a seal is included between the parts 105, 107 to seal the interiorcavity created by housing 105, 107.

Pivotally coupled to the actuator ring 110 are three obturator elements125 (which more fully described in FIGS. 3A-3B). However, more obturatorelements may be used and three (3) is not meant to be a limitation.Additionally, in other embodiments (not shown), the actuator ring can bedriven by an appropriate means such as gears, belts, a shaft or someother apparatus to generate rotational energy required to move theactuator ring, and, by extension, the obturator elements. An obturatorelement is an element that is introduced into an opening (in this case,the lumen 120 of the shutter valve 100). FIG. 1A illustrates the shuttervalve in a partially open position, in that the obturator elements 125are partially rotated so as to partially introduced into the lumen 120.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first part 105 of the housing ofthe shutter valve 100, in accordance with one embodiment. The first part105 defines a substantially flat circular body having a substantiallyflat surface 140 surrounded by a rim or lip 145. The rim or lipprotrudes substantially outward from, or substantially perpendicular to,the surface 140 of the first part 105. The rim surrounding the flatsurface defines a cavity for holding the actuator ring. The rim may beintegral with the flat surface (such as integrally formed) or the flatsurface and rim may be manufactured separately and then coupledtogether. Along the edge of the rim is a plurality of screw or boltbosses 150 having apertures 155 for receiving screws or bolts forjoining or coupling the first part 105 with the second part 107 of thehousing. Along the surface 140 are elongated tracks 135 that extendradially from the central aperture 120, wherein each track correspondsto each individual obturator element pin or protrusion (described morefully below). In the present embodiment, each track is an elongatedcurved shaped groove or slot. The purpose of the tracks 135 are to guidethe movement of the obturator elements 125 when they move within thehousing 105, 107. Alternative to a track, a protruding wall or parapetmay be used.

The surface of the body of the first part 105 further comprises anaperture that is centrally located thereon defining the central aperture120. 0-rings may be inserted into circular shaped grooves 170 that abutthe inside of the rim and into circular shaped grooves 160 that surroundthe central aperture. The rim may also include a slot 175 which isadapted to allow a gear or other driving mechanism to mate with the gearteeth of the actuator ring.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the second part 107 of the housing ofthe shutter valve 100, in accordance with one embodiment. The secondpart is designed to mate with or cover the first part 105 of thehousing, thereby defining a cavity for the actuator ring 110 andobturator elements 125. The second part 107 also defines a substantiallyflat circular body having a flat surface 141. Along the edge of the flatsurface 141 is a plurality of screw or bolt bosses 151 having apertures156 for receiving screws, bolts or other fasteners for joining orcoupling the first part 105 with the second part 107. Along the surface141 are elongated tracks 130 that extend radially from the centralaperture 120. Each of the tracks 130 correspond and align with eachtrack 135 from the first part 105 of the housing. In the presentembodiment, each track defines an elongated curved groove or slot. Thepurpose of the tracks 130 are to guide the movement of the obturatorelements 125 when they move within the housing 105, 107. Alternative toa track, a protruding wall or parapet may be used.

The surface of the body of the second part 107 further comprises anaperture that is centrally located thereon defining central aperture120. O-rings may be inserted into grooves 161 surrounding the centralaperture 120 as well as a circular shaped groove 171 proximate to andinside from the edge of the surface 141. The rim of the second part 107may also include a tab 176 which is sized to couple the valve to adriving mechanism such as a gearbox housing. The housing parts 105 and107 may be formed from metal, aluminum, plastic or any other materialsuitable and known to those in the art.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the actuator ring 110, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The actuator ring defines asubstantially circular shaped ring having a flat top surface opposing aflat bottom surface and a flat side wall. Additionally, the surfaces ofthe actuator ring forms a seal surface having a flat texture. Thesealing surface must be manufactured with high precision so that itforms a seal with other components of the shutter valve. The actuatorring may be formed from aluminum, titanium, steel, or any other alloymaterial suitable and known to those skilled in the art. Additionally,the actuator ring may also include sealing services comprising ofrubber, plastic, PTFE, vinyl, etc. The actuator ring is sized to fitinside the cavity defined by housing (105, 107) of the shutter valve107.

The actuator ring 110 includes at least three obturator pin bosses 205affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring. The insidecircumference is defined by the inner sidewall of the actuator ring. Inthe present embodiment, each obturator pin boss defines a substantiallytriangular shaped protrusion extending radially inward from the insideside wall of the actuator ring. Near an apex of each obturator pin bossis a hinge pin aperture 210. Each hinge pin aperture 210 is adapted toreceive a pin or other fastener that allows each obturator element to behingedly connected or to have a hinged connection to each obturator pinboss 205. Each obturator pin boss is sized to be received by the slot310 of each obturator element, and as more specifically explained inFIGS. 3A through 4.

The actuator ring 110 further includes a plurality of gear teeth 115. Asshown in FIG. 2, the gear teeth 115 are positioned such that the gearteeth can be mated with a spur gear (not shown). A spur gear is gearwheel with teeth projecting parallel to the wheel's axis. The spur gear,or any other means of generating rotational energy to cause the actuatorring to translate or rotate within the housing (105, 107) of the shuttervalve 100 may be used. For example, in another embodiment (not shown), aprotruding element extending radially outward from the surface of theactuator ring connected to a gear shaft may be used to rotate theactuator ring. Actuator 110 also includes a flat surface 11 that mateswith a seal, such that when part 105 of the housing is mated with part107, a seal is included between the parts 105, 107 to seal the interiorcavity created by housing 105, 107.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are frontal views of the assembled shutter valve withoutthe first part 105 of the housing, shown in the closed and openposition, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 5 is afront view of the shutter valve 100, showing all obturator elements 125in a closed position. FIG. 6 shows that in the open position, theobturator elements 125 are retracted such that no portion of it islocated within the lumen 120. In the closed position (FIG. 5), theobturator elements 125 are extended such that a substantial portion ofit is located within the lumen 120. When all obturator elements are inthe closed position, the lumen 120 is completely occluded such that nofluid flow is allowed through the valve 100 (FIG. 6). To move from theopen position to the closed position, the actuator ring 110 rotatescounterclockwise such that the obturator elements 125 rotatecounterclockwise about the hinged connection 210. To move from theclosed position to the open position, the actuator ring 110 rotatesclockwise such that the obturator elements 125 rotate clockwise aboutthe hinged connection 210. The rotation of actuator 110 is apparent inFIGS. 5-6, since the location of the gear teeth 115 has shifted betweenthe two drawings.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an obturator element 125 of the shuttervalve, in accordance with one embodiment. Each obturator element definesa petal shaped structure having an outside circumference defined bymultiple sides. In one embodiment, each of the obturator elements areequally sized and shaped, but this is not meant to be a limitation. Eachobturator element further defines a tongue and groove feature 300 alongat least a portion of the outside circumference of the petal shapestructure. In the present embodiment, the tongue and groove featurecomprises two (2) sides of the circumference of the obturator element125, but this is not meant to be a limitation. On one side of thecircumference, a tongue 301 of the tongue and groove feature 300 islocated. The tongue can be a ridge protruding from the surface of thepetal shaped structure that is adapted to fit into the groove 303 of anadjacent obturator element. On a second side of the circumference, atongue groove 303 of the tongue and groove feature 300 is located. Thegroove is a channel defined by two opposing sidewalls, wherein thegroove is designed to accept the tongue 301 of an adjacent obturatorelement (when the valve 100 is in the closed position) so as to create aseal. The tongue and groove feature further comprises a seal surfacecomprising of rubber, plastic, PTFE, vinyl, any combination thereof etc.The tongue and groove element and seal surface is adapted to create aseal between the obturator elements. The obturator element can bemanufactured from steel, aluminum, titanium, any combination thereof orany other material known to those skilled in the art.

Each obturator element further defines a slot 310 on a third side of theoutside circumference, which is sized and adapted to receive acorresponding obturator pin boss 205, as each obturator element ispivotally attached to the actuator ring within the shutter valve (morefully described in FIG. 4).

The petal shape structure of each obturator element further defines ahook element 305 located at an apex of the petal shape structure. Thehook element defines a hook or beak shape of the petal structure and isadapted to mate with the hook elements of other obturator elements whenthe valve is in a closed position. See FIG. 5, which shows all obturatorelements 125 in the closed position, and the hook features of allobturator elements mating with each other to completely occlude thelumen 120 and eliminating fluid flow through the lumen 120.

FIG. 3A also shows that the obturator element 125 also includes anaperture 320 designed for insertion of a shaft or pin that also extendsinto a hinge pin aperture 210 in a pin boss 205 of actuator ring 110,thereby creating a hinge, so as to hingably couple the obturator elementto the actuator ring. In one embodiment, the pin is secured to theaperture 320 (so that the pin does not rotate within aperture 320),though the pin rotates within the hinge in aperture 210, when theobturator element 125 rotates. FIG. 3A further shows that the obturatorelement 125 also includes an aperture 322 designed for insertion of aprotrusion (such as a shaft or pin) that also extends into a track 130,135 of housing parts 105, 107, such that the protrusion may glide withinsaid tracks when the obturator element moves within the housing 105,107. The purpose of the tracks 130, 135 are to guide the movement of theobturator elements 125 when they move within the housing 105, 107. Inone embodiment, the pin is secured to the aperture 322 (so that the pindoes not rotate within aperture 322), and the pin may glide or travelwithin tracks 130, 135, when the obturator element 125 rotates.

FIG. 3A also shows a sidewall 311 that comprises an elongated, curvedwall having a diminutive height and a flat top surface. The sidewall 311extends radially in a curved shape from one end of the obturator element125, starting at or near the aperture 320, and ending at the oppositeend of the obturator element, at or near the side what include thegroove 303. The purpose of the sidewall 311 is to offset the primarysurface 319 of the obturator element from the surface 140 or 141 of thefirst and second parts of the housing 105, 107. When the obturatorelement is placed in the first and second parts of the housing, thesidewall 311 may contact, or nearly contact, the surface of the firstand second parts of the housing. This offsets the primary surface of theobturator element from the surface 140 or 141 such that the primarysurface does not contact said surfaces 140, 141. Further, as theobturator element rotates, the sidewall 311 may contact, or nearlycontact, the surface of the first and second parts of the housing, suchthat the primary surface need not contacts surfaces 140, 141. Thisreduces the surface areas that produce friction, thereby increasing theefficiency of the system. Note there is a sidewall 311 on the both sidesof the obturator element (second sidewall not shown in FIG. 3A).

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of two mating obturator elements ofthe shutter valve 100, in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 3B showsthat each obturator element defines a tongue and groove feature 300along at least a portion of the outside circumference of the petal shapestructure. In the top obturator element 380, a tongue 301 of the tongueand groove feature 300 is located. The tongue can be a ridge protrudingfrom the surface of the petal shaped structure that is adapted to fitinto the groove 303 of an adjacent obturator element 381. The groove 303is a channel defined by two opposing sidewalls, wherein the groove isdesigned to accept the tongue 301 of the adjacent obturator element 380(when the valve 100 is in the closed position—see FIG. 5) so as tocreate a seal. The tongue and groove feature 300 further comprises aseal surface 321 comprising of rubber, plastic, PTFE, vinyl, anycombination thereof etc. The tongue and groove element and seal surfaceis adapted to create a seal between the obturator elements 380, 381.FIG. 3B also shows a cross-section of sidewall 311. Note there is asidewall 311 on the both sides of the obturator element (both sidewallsshown in FIG. 3B).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shutter valve 100 with the firstpart 105 of the housing removed, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. In the present embodiment, FIG. 4 illustratesthree obturator elements 125 hingedly coupled to an obturator pin boss205 such that the obturator elements are arranged in a circular arrayaround the inside circumference of the actuator ring 110. FIG. 4illustrates the shutter valve 100 in a partially open position, suchthat the obturator elements only partially occlude lumen 120. Each ofthe obturator elements are movably or hingedly attached to the obturatorpin boss by a fastener at the hinge pin aperture. In one embodiment, thefastener can be a pin that extends through aperture 320 of the obturatorelement 125 and the hinge pin aperture 210 of actuator ring 110, orother means of allowing pivoting movement.

FIG. 4 also illustrates how the slot 130 of each obturator element isadapted and sized to receive the obturator pin boss 205. A protrudingelement 410 (located in the aperture 322 of each obturator element) isreceived by each of the plurality of tracks 130. The protruding elementis sized such that it can be inserted into the tracks and glide alongthe tracks as the obturator elements move between the open and closedposition. The protruding element can be integrally formed with the eachobturator element or it can be coupled or affixed to the aperture 322 ofeach obturator element separately.

As mentioned above, the tracks define an elongated curved groove alongthe flat surface 141 of the second part 107 of the housing. It should benoted that FIG. 4 does not include the first part 105, which in thefinal full assembly holds the actuator ring and obturator elements andis covered by the second part 107. The protruding element or protrusions410 also is received by a plurality of tracks 135 on the surface of thefirst part 105 of the housing. The tracks on the first and second partsof the housing define a shape that allow the protrusions 410 to glidealong the track when the shutter valve moves between the open and closedpositions.

In the present embodiment, three obturator elements are communallydisposable between an open position and a closed position. In the fullyopen position, each of the plurality of the obturator elements arepositioned such that the central opening 120 is not obstructed allowingfluids, gases or bodies to flow through the opening. As forces acttangential to the actuator ring, the actuator ring 110 rotates withinthe housing causing each of the obturator elements hingedly attached tothe obturator pin boss at the obturator pin aperture by a pin to pivotcausing the protruding element 410 to slide or glide along the tracks130, 135. The obturator elements 125 will continue to slide along thetracks 130, 135 until each of the obturator element contacts an adjacentobturator element so as to securely void any aperture within the insidecircumference of the actuator ring. When in the fully closed position,the tongue 301 of each tongue and groove element 300 of each obturatorelement mates with the groove 303 of an adjacent obturator element.Additionally, each hook element 305 of each obturator element contactswith the hook element of an adjacent obturator element forming a seal.

To open the shutter valve from a closed position, tangential forces(opposite to those applied for closing the shutter valve) are applied tothe actuator ring 110 such that the actuator ring is rotated within thehousing. This causes the actuator ring to rotate, thereby causing theobturator pin boss to pivot the obturator element, which causes theprotruding element 410 to slide or glide along the track 130 such thatthe tongue and groove element of each obturator element separates fromthe adjacent obturator element. As mentioned above, when in the fullyopen position, the central aperture 120 is not blocked by any portion ofthe obturator elements. The shutter valve can be positioned in apartially open or partially close position for regulating pressure andfor controlling fluid flow. Additionally, additional gaskets, O-rings orseals may also be utilized to accomplish a fluid tight seal if required.

We claim:
 1. A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controllingfluid flow, comprising: an actuator ring comprising a plurality of gearteeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear; a plurality of obturatorpin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of theactuator ring, the obturator pin boss further comprising a hinge pinaperture; three or more obturator elements, each obturator elementdefining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove featurealong at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, andwherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pinaperture of an obturator pin boss; a hook element located at an apex ofsaid petal shape structure of each obturator element; and a housingdefining a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the three or moreobturator elements.
 2. The shutter valve of claim 1, wherein the petalshape structure of each obturator element further comprises a sealsurface along at least a portion of the outside circumference thereof 3.The shutter valve of claim 2, wherein said seal surface of said tongueand groove feature is composed of any one of rubber, plastic, PTFE, andvinyl.
 4. The shutter valve of claim 3, wherein said actuator ringcomprises a flat surface to mate with a seal.
 5. The shutter valve ofclaim 4, wherein each of said three or more obturator elements iscoupled by a hinge to a hinge aperture of an obturator pin boss suchthat said obturator elements are arranged in a circular array along theinside circumference of the actuator ring.
 6. The shutter valve of claim5, wherein said three or more obturator elements are communallydisposable between an open position and a closed position.
 7. Theshutter valve of claim 6, wherein in the closed position the sealsurface of each obturator element contacts an adjacent obturator elementso as to securely void any aperture within the inside circumference ofthe actuator ring.
 8. The shutter valve of claim 7, wherein forcesacting on the gear teeth drive the actuator ring, causing the obturatorelements to move between the open and closed positions.
 9. A shuttervalve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow, comprising: anactuator ring comprising: a) a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teethdriven by a mating gear; b) a plurality of obturator pin bosses, eachpin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring;and c) a hinge pin aperture located in each obturator pin boss; three ormore obturator elements, each obturator element comprising: a) a petalshape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least aportion of an outside circumference thereof; b) a hook element locatedat an apex of said petal shape structure; and c) a hinged connection toa hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss, such that rotationalmovement of the actuator ring causes movement of the obturator elements;and a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring and thethree or more obturator elements.
 10. The shutter valve of claim 9,wherein the petal shape structure of each obturator element furthercomprises a seal surface along at least a portion of the outsidecircumference thereof
 11. The shutter valve of claim 10, wherein saidseal surface of said tongue and groove feature is composed of any one ofrubber, plastic, PTFE, and vinyl.
 12. The shutter valve of claim 11,wherein said actuator ring comprises a flat surface to mate with a seal.13. The shutter valve of claim 12, wherein said obturator elements arearranged in a circular array along the inside circumference of theactuator ring.
 14. The shutter valve of claim 13, wherein said three ormore obturator elements are communally disposable between an openposition and a closed position.
 15. The shutter valve of claim 14,wherein in the closed position the seal surface of each obturatorelement contacts an adjacent obturator element so as to securely voidany aperture within the inside circumference of the actuator ring.
 16. Ashutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow,comprising: an actuator ring comprising: a) a plurality of gear teeth,the gear teeth driven by a mating gear; b) a plurality of obturator pinbosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of theactuator ring; and c) a hinge pin aperture located in each obturator pinboss; three or more obturator elements, each obturator elementcomprising: a) a petal shape structure including a tongue and groovefeature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof; b)a hook element located at an apex of said petal shape structure; c) ahinged connection to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss, suchthat rotational movement of the actuator ring causes movement of theobturator elements; and d) a protrusion configured for gliding along atrack; and a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring andthe three or more obturator elements, the housing comprising a pluralityof tracks, each track configured for receiving a protrusion of anobturator element, such that the protrusion glides along the track. 17.The shutter valve of claim 16, wherein the petal shape structure of eachobturator element further comprises a seal surface along at least aportion of the outside circumference thereof
 18. The shutter valve ofclaim 17, wherein said actuator ring comprises a flat surface to matewith a seal.
 19. The shutter valve of claim 18, wherein said three ormore obturator elements are communally disposable between an openposition and a closed position.